Every Dhanteras, jewellery stores fill up, families compare gold rates, and someone inevitably suggests buying a coin because “shagun toh hona chahiye.” But gold is hardly the only thing Indians bring home before Diwali. Walk through a local market, and you will find shoppers picking up steel bowls, brass lamps, brooms, coriander seeds and all sorts of everyday essentials, each tied to a belief passed down through generations. The festival falls on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik and is associated with Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Kuber and Lord Dhanvantari. While some purchases are rooted in religious traditions, others reflect newer shopping habits. Here are eight things Indians traditionally buy on Dhanteras 2026, even when gold isn’t on the list.
Dhanteras 2026: Things Indians Traditionally Buy Besides Gold And Silver
1. Silver Coins And Utensils
Gold gets the glamour, but silver has long been a favourite for families looking to make an auspicious purchase without spending quite as much. Silver coins featuring Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha are particularly popular, often finding a place in the family mandir during Diwali puja. Others prefer silver bowls, glasses, small plates or diyas that can be used for years rather than tucked away in a locker. The appeal lies in the metal’s association with purity and prosperity, as well as its place in traditional worship.
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2. Brass, Copper And Stainless-Steel Utensils
A new katori might not sound like the most exciting festive purchase, but Dhanteras has a long-standing connection with kitchen utensils. Families often buy steel plates, copper lotas, brass bowls, cooking pots and other vessels on this day. One traditional association comes from the story of Lord Dhanvantari emerging from the churning of the cosmic ocean carrying a pot of amrit, the nectar of immortality. The vessel has come to symbolise health and well-being, helping explain why buying metal utensils became part of Dhanteras customs.
3. A New Broom (Jhadu)
Of all the things people buy on Dhanteras, a broom is probably the one that raises the most eyebrows. Yet in many North Indian households, purchasing a new jhadu is considered auspicious. The reasoning is symbolic: a clean home is prepared to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, while sweeping represents clearing away dirt and unwanted influences. The custom also fits neatly into the pre-Diwali cleaning that takes over Indian homes, when cupboards are emptied, corners are scrubbed and things that have been ignored for months finally get attention.
4. Clay Diyas And Brass Lamps
Long before decorative electric lights took over balconies and windows, earthen diyas were central to Diwali celebrations, and they remain an important festive purchase today. Families buy clay lamps, cotton wicks and oil to light their homes during the festival. Some also invest in brass or copper diyas that can be reused for daily prayers and future celebrations. Dhanteras is associated with Yama Deepdaan in several traditions, in which a lamp is lit as a prayer for protection and the longevity of family members. The exact observance varies by region and household. Lighting lamps also connects with Diwali’s wider symbolism of light overcoming darkness.
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5. Whole Coriander Seeds (Sabut Dhaniya)
Move past the jewellery counters and festive decoration stalls, and you might find another surprisingly traditional purchase: whole coriander seeds. In some communities, sabut dhaniya is bought on Dhanteras and offered during Lakshmi puja as a symbol of prosperity. Certain families keep the seeds with their puja items or sow them later, connecting the ritual with growth and abundance. The symbolism has an agricultural dimension, too. Seeds represent the possibility of a future harvest, making them a natural emblem of sustenance and plenty. Coriander is also an everyday ingredient in Indian cooking, so this custom brings the sacred and the ordinary together in a distinctly Indian way.
6. Idols Of Goddess Lakshmi And Lord Ganesha
For many households, Dhanteras shopping includes choosing idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for Diwali puja. Lakshmi is worshipped for wealth and prosperity, while Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles and the deity of auspicious beginnings. Together, they occupy a central place in Diwali worship across many Hindu traditions. Markets begin displaying idols weeks before the festival, from simple clay figures to elaborate brass and silver pieces. Some families buy new idols each year, while others continue worshipping the same ones and purchase smaller images for different parts of the home.
7. Salt And Other Pantry Essentials
Not every auspicious purchase needs to be wrapped in velvet or placed inside a jewellery box. In some regional traditions, salt is bought on Dhanteras because it is associated with prosperity and the hope that a household will never run short of essential supplies. The custom is found in certain communities rather than across India as a whole. Other families may purchase rice, sugar or everyday groceries as part of their festive preparations. These purchases carry a simple message: abundance also means having enough food to cook, share and serve to loved ones. In a country where festivals are closely tied to hospitality, the contents of the kitchen matter as much as the decorations in the living room. A packet of salt may not seem like a particularly festive purchase on an ordinary day, but traditions often give familiar objects a different meaning.
8. Electronics, Home Appliances And Vehicles
The traditional Dhanteras shopping basket has acquired some decidedly modern additions. Smartphones, laptops, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, cars and two-wheelers are now popular purchases during the festive season. For many people, the day offers an auspicious occasion to finally buy something they have been saving for, whether it is a new scooter for daily commuting or a refrigerator for the family home. Retailers also roll out festive promotions around Diwali, adding another reason for shoppers to time their purchases around this period. Unlike utensils, lamps and puja offerings, these products are not rooted in ancient Dhanteras rituals.
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From silver coins and kitchen utensils to coriander seeds and a brand-new broom, Dhanteras traditions reveal a fascinating mix of faith, practicality and changing lifestyles. The customs are not identical across India, and no family needs to follow every one of them. For some, the day means investing in silver; for others, it means bringing home a few diyas and preparing the kitchen for Diwali. The common thread is the hope for a year filled with health, happiness and prosperity. Gold may dominate the headlines every festive season, but the things Indians buy on Dhanteras tell a much bigger story about what abundance means at home.
Cover Image Courtesy: toa55/Canva Pro
FAQs
What are the traditional things Indians buy on Dhanteras?
Common Dhanteras purchases include gold and silver, metal utensils, clay diyas, brooms, coriander seeds and idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Customs vary by region and family.
What can you buy on Dhanteras besides gold?
You can consider silver coins, brass or steel utensils, diyas, puja items and household essentials. Some families also purchase electronics, appliances or vehicles during the festive season.
Why do people buy utensils on Dhanteras?
The custom is commonly associated with prosperity and the story of Lord Dhanvantari emerging from the cosmic ocean carrying a pot of amrit. Metal vessels have consequently become a popular Dhanteras purchase.
